GoI needs to clear troop pull-out from own territory: CM

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, May 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that clarification is needed from the Government of India about Indian troops pulling out from their own territory during India-China faceoff in Daulat Baig Oldi sector along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Leh.
While expressing satisfaction over peaceful end of the India-China face-off in DBO sector in Leh, the Chief Minister while addressing a press conference at Civil Secretariat on the opening of Darbar Move office in Srinagar said: “If media reports are correct, we need a clarification from the GoI as to why we pulled our troops from the area which belongs to us. I wonder why we have agreed to pull out our troops.”
The Chief Minister said: “I am glad that the standoff with China over its incursion in BDO sector on LAC was resolved peacefully.” He said the diplomatic means adopted by the GoI on the issue achieved the desired results.
Omar said there had been regular incursions from China on LAC in the Ladakh region. However, this time troops from China remained on this side of the LAC for more than 19 days.
While responding to a question about the steps taken after the attack on Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah at Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu region on Saturday by an inmate during an argument over the death of Sarabjit Singh, he said that Minister of State for Home had directed that proper protection should be provided to all Pakistani prisoners in different jails in the State. “We have kept Pakistani prisoners separately to avoid such unfortunate incident in future,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the attack on Pakistani prisoner in the jail was very unfortunate and disturbing. He expressed hope that Sanaullah will survive.
On action taken against jail officials, Omar said: “Certain steps have already been initiated. The jail superintendent and some other jail officials have been suspended and an enquiry has been ordered to be conducted by Principal Secretary Home Department.”
Omar described the incident as “extremely unfortunate” and said that it should not have happened in light of the advisory and instructions issued by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Sajad Ahmad Kitchloo to the Prisons Department.
“It should not have happened, more so in light of the advisory that had been put out and the instructions that had been issued by the MoS Home to the Prisons Department of the State to ensure that care is taken where Indian and Pakistani prisoners are lodged together,” Omar said.
Refusing to share the initial findings of the probe into the attack on Sanaullah, the Chief Minister said: “While I have information available with me, I have learnt a valuable lesson of not sharing initial findings with you because I paid a very heavy price for sharing them about 2009 Shopian alleged rape case.”
Omar said: “You took those initial findings as if they were final pronouncements on my part, which they were not. This time I will wait for the final report of the enquiry and take action based on the report.”
He said while the Pakistani prisoner has been shifted to PGI Chandigarh to provide him best possible care, the timely action by the medical staff in Jammu had helped in stabilising his condition.
On Hurriyat Conference (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Omar said that that his freedom has been curtailed to prevent situation from taking an ugly turn. “His speeches trigger law and order problem that is why his freedom has been curtailed,” Chief Minister said while responding to a question on Geelani’s curtailed movement.
Omar said: “We are not afraid of Geelani. He is by and large free to do his political activities. It has been seen whenever he uses the stage post-Friday prayers, he incites people and trouble erupts. Then you blame me, my Government and police for using force. If you can give assurance that Geelani won’t create any trouble, I have no hesitation in directing the police to set Geelani free.”
On spurious drug scam, the Chief Minister said: “The Government is inquiring into the allegations of spurious drug scam and were also witnessing allegations of corruption involved in the issue. The newly constituted Vigilance Commission is also probing the issue.”
Omar said: “I can’t say much on this as investigations are on. Yes, there are shortages of testing facilities as Government labs are not able to test the drugs properly.  So we are trying to form a private-public partnership for establishing a full-fledged testing lab. I urge the Civil Society, both in Kashmir and Jammu to come forward and to assist the Government how drugs could be tested.”
Chief Minister rejected the claims that Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed displeasure over the relief distribution in earthquake hit areas of Doda, Bhaderwah and Bhalesa by saying that he regularly speaks to Azad. “He has not expressed any dissatisfaction to me,” Omar said.
To a query whether about Government’s inaction over the Ministers facing corruption charges, Omar said unless he has the proof he can’t act. “Earlier, it was said some Minister was having a villa in Dubai but later it was not proved. There is no such property of any Minister in Dubai. We have State Accountability Commission and now State Vigilance commission. If I get a proof against any Minister, coalition or no collation, that Minister has to pay the price,” he said.

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